50,000 bushings for intensive care

KS Gleitlager providing rapid assistance in the crisis

KS Gleitlager GmbH, a member of the technology group Rheinmetall, has now switched part of its production at short notice to the manufacture of precision bushings, which are currently urgently needed in the manufacture of solenoid valves for intensive care equipment.

To this end, the St. Leon-Rot-based company has in recent days converted a complete production line for the required components. After a short time, the supplier was thus in a position to produce lead-free special bushings made of metal-polymer composite, such as those currently used in medical equipment for intensive care units. KS Gleitlager has already produced an initial batch of 50,000 bushes for a long-standing customer.

The latter is Magnet-Schultz GmbH, a specialist in electromagnetic actuators, sensors and valve technology. Based in Memmingen, Germany, this traditional-rich family-owned company produces, among other things, flow control and solenoid valves for devices used in intensive care medicine and has recently increased its production volume in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

"In view of the expected further spread of the pandemic and the urgently needed medical equipment, it is only natural for us to make a contribution in our special field of competence to enable the necessary rapid expansion of medical care," says Achim Weber, head of the business unit of Rheinmetall Automotive. "That is why in this case we did not hesitate for a moment to convert our special equipment for the industrial sector to these urgently needed products at short notice".

The company normally supplies international automobile manufacturers in its main business, but in its special area for industrial customers from the mechanical engineering sector, as in this case, it is able to manufacture specific products very flexibly and quickly, even in small batches.

Rheinmetall Automotive AG is the parent company of Rheinmetall’s Automotive sector. As a global first-tier supplier to the automotive industry, Rheinmetall Automotive thanks to its vast capabilities commands foremost positions in the product and component segments air supply, emission control and pumps as well as in the development, manufacture and aftermarket supply of pistons, engine blocks, and plain bearings.

Product engineering and development are conducted in close liaison with the leading car assemblers. Low emissions, reduced fuel consumption, upgraded performance, reliability, quality, and safety - these are forces that drive innovation at Rheinmetall Automotive.

In line with its strategic focus, the Group has three premium brands: Kolbenschmidt, Pierburg und Motorservice and employs a workface of around 11,500 employees at its production locations in Europe, North and South America, Japan, India plus China.